Bodley students learn consequences of drinking, texting while driving

Fulton Fire Department members use a hydraulic machine to cut victims out of this simulated drunk-driving accident.Fulton Police arrest Logan Carvey, the drunk driver in the simulated crash

G. Ray Bodley juniors and seniors got to witness first hand the consequences of what can happen if they drink and drive.

On Thursday May 1, they gathreed for a mock driving while intoxicated (DWI) drill at the high school.

Participated were the Fulton Police Department in coordination with Oswego County Stop DWI, the Fulton school cistrict, Oswego County District Attorney’s Office, Oswego County 911, Fulton Fire Department, Menter Ambulance, Oswego County RACES, and several other agencies.

Every other year, the event is held for Bodley’s juniors and seniors just before the Junior Prom and Senior Dinner Dance to warn them of the real dangers of driving drunk.

The added danger of texting while driving was also a factor in the mock crash.

The event began at 8 a.m. with a simulated a fatal head-on drunk driving crash involving real students as actors.

Emergency service providers simulated their response, to include the evacuation of the injured by firemen using the “jaws of life” and crash investigation by police.

Several Quirk’s Theater players from Bodley played the vehicles’ occupants. Nikki Baker-Lanning was the victim killed in the crash, while Logan Carvey was the driver charged with drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter.

Following the outdoor scene, the students were moved to the auditorium where Robert Lighthall from Oswego County Stop DWI stressed the importance of “having a plan” during their after-prom festivities and explained to them the consequences their poor choices can have on their family and friends.

The students watched a video about a real-life accident where a child was killed by a drunk driver.

Thereafter, the reality of drunk driving was brought to the forefront when a victim impact volunteer spoke to the students about her life following the death of her husband at the hands of a drunk driver 20 years ago.

A death notification was also simulated by police, showing the raw anguish that a parent experiences when they learn their child has been killed in a car crash.

Lighthall narrated while the arraignment and sentencing of Carvey was held, showing the court process and legal consequences following a serious drunk driving crash.

Finally, a funeral was held for Baker-Lanning while her friends looked on. A casket was put on stage and every student was invited to “pay their respects” at the end.

Overall, the event was judged as a success by all involved.

“If we get through to just one kid, we have done our jobs today”, said Fulton Police Deputy Chief Tom Abelgore.